There are several different kinds of rhinoplasty, and before the first consultation, it always helps to become familiar with the terminology. This is especially true if it the first rhinoplasty and not a revision rhinoplasty, which is often used to correct less than perfect results from primary surgery.
Before looking at the various procedures that make up the typical “nose job”, we should first explain the difference between a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty. A septoplasty is used to correct the functioning of the nose by straightening the septum, where a rhinoplasty is usually a purely cosmetic (or aesthetic) procedure.
Four Main Types of Rhinoplasty
According to the AllAboutCosmeticSurgery web site, there are four basic categories of rhinoplasty:
– Ethnic rhinoplasty;
– reduction rhinoplasty;
– augmentation rhinoplasty;
– post-traumatic rhinoplasty.
Dr. Bustillo concentrates over half of his surgery time on rhinoplasties, with people traveling from all over the world to his Florida based practice, putting him in a great position to perform the first of these types, the so-called Ethnic rhinoplasties. While all rhinoplasties need to respect the ethnicity of the patient, the term has become associated with Afro-Caribbean, Far Eastern and Pacific Rim facial features.
The next type of rhinoplasty – the reduction rhinoplasty – is perhaps the most common, and is requested by patients who would like a smaller nose. They feel that the nose is not in keeping with other facial features, commonly caused by a bump in the bridge, over-prominent nostrils or a bulbous tip. The result needs to restore natural symmetry to their face, something which Dr. Bustillo takes great pride in achieving using modern computer imaging and consultation techniques.
Less common than reduction rhinoplasty, is an augmentation rhinoplasty, where the patient feels that their nose is too small for their face. This could be due to underdevelopment, injury, or a medical condition, and often substantial reconstruction will be needed, along with cartilage grafting to help rebuild the nasal structure. Since Dr. Bustillo spends half of his time on rhinoplasty surgery, and a large part of that performing revision rhinoplasties, this kind of reconstruction is one of his fortes.
Having spent a substantial amount of time on revision surgery, Dr. Bustillo is also well placed to deal with post-traumatic rhinoplasty surgery. Many of these procedures are required to correct injuries – usually sport-related – and can be both functional (i.e. repairing breathing problems) as well as correcting aesthetic problems.
A final note – people often refer to Open and Closed rhinoplasties as being ‘types’ of rhinoplasty surgery, but this isn’t the case. As Dr. Bustillo points out on his excellent web site, they are merely approaches to rhinoplasty surgery and offer different possibilities.
Closed surgery, for example, tends to be less traumatic. The recovery time generally will be faster, and disturb less of the nasal features during the surgery. Open surgery might be a bit more invasive, but can be both useful and necessary in certain cases.
It is a case of matching the most appropriate approach to the patient, and not a question of selecting one of the other because it is inherently better. This flexibility, coupled with the experience and commitment to excellence is what makes Dr. Bustillo one of the most sought-after surgeons in the business.
Dr. Bustillo’s Miami based practice can be contacted on 305.663.3380, as well as through the web site. The web site is where you will also find up to date before and after photographs, showing his many successful rhinoplasties from various angles.